I installed the new aluminum shift bushing (purchased from Mazda Motorsport). I followed the instructions on the removal/install of the short shifter thread. I drove around, the shifting was fine, no problems at the time.

Soon I was getting a problem. Once in a while, I'll have problems shifting to 1st. It felt like I was hitting a wall, no gear notch to be found. I had to jiggle the shifter, revved, tried shifting to a different gear, then would it go to 1st.

Did I install it incorrectly? It looked like a straight forward install, but who knows. Did I miss an alignment notch, didn't lube the part, retighten the screws incorrectly, etc? It could be my transmission crapping out regardless and the new bushing exposed it more. Any input?

I don't abuse it. Typical drive around town with the occasional autoX events.

 

be careful that you're not pushing it down slightly (ala reverse), otherwise an in&out on the clutch while in neutral should clear the path

 

It freaked me out when this happened. I don't have the funds for a new transmission if this is the case. Is this situation normal? I don't think I was pushing down while shifting. I must make a mental note on this. Thanks.

 

Pull the part and check it for any unusual scrape marks/wear on the left side. It may be hanging up on something and either shifting into 3rd/4th or releasing/depressing the clutch gives you enough play to clear. Let us know if you find anything.
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I pulled it apart and didn't noticed any nicks/wear marks. No clue on what's going on. The only way out of it is to jiggle the shifter and release/depress the clutch several times. I did notice when I'm on a flat surface and it does go into 1st, the car will feel like it moves and with a thunk sound when I shift (sometimes). It is like it found the gear and gets a push from behind.

TeamRX8 mentioned that it be due to a wear-in condition. Hope this is the case.

 

they all do this from time-time even with the OE shifter

 

change it back to stock and see if it fix the problem, if not it is somthing else, maybe a clutch disc spring fell out.

 

My stock shifter would do that every once in a while, I had to hit 2nd again and then go into 1st. I put in the RP short shifter and haven't experienced it since...but I haven't driven it a lot this time of the year, yet... I'd like to know what's up with that, as well.

 

Just installed this and have the same problem. Except beyond the mentioned issue I can't get in fifth at all. HELP!

Mine doesn't look like a replacement for the white bushing but more of a cup with a lip on it and hole in the bottom that fits perfectly in the shift tunnel.

 

Reminds me of when I installed an al bushing from Mazda Motorsports in my RX-3SP's 5 speed. I could not get into reverse. I contacted Mazda and they explained that for my application that I needed to machine the bushing down!!
I would recommend contacting Mazda Motorsports with your problem.
Glad that I have not installed the bushing on my RX-8. I thought I would try the short shifter without the bushing first.

 

Just took it all apart and was able to get into fifth and sixth. Thought it may have been the plate that hits the reverse notch but I put it back together while in fifth and it's not touching. Seems like you just have to row, row, row to break it in. After 5 minutes of sitting in the garage shifting with the car off I can get it going much better. However 4 to 5 requires an extra clutch step. I'll get it on the road tonight or tomorrow.

Anyone else with this share their experiences?

UPDATE: Drove to work this morning with the shift from fourth to fifth being my only issue. I would usually have to triple clutch to get it to go in but 1 out of 8 times it went in no issues. I think this bushing just needs broken in.

 

Is this the RP short shifter that you installed or the aluminum shift bushing. If you have the RP shifter and are adding the aluminum bushing it may not be designed for that. The designers probably tested it on the OE shifter only. When I had my RP I had issues with first but never 5th. Make sure you fix it before Sunday, then again I doubt you'll use 5th.

 

Mine is SS.
GTAW is the height of the bushing the problem.
Can I machine down the MazdaMotorsports one?

 

Clunking and difficulty getting into first is caused by partial clutch disengagement.

 

Sorry for highjacking this thread, but what does this bushing do besides making more noise and vibration?

 

The stock bushing is plastic and will break under hard use causing excessive play

 

This same thing happened to me with the RP shifter while on track in the middle of a corner

 

RP changed their bushing material a while back

The MS bushing won't work with the RP shifter, only the OE shifter; it has a small step machined at the bottom and the RP shifter ball end hits the step before the shifter is seated in the trans shifter housing

the OE plastic bushing wears under hard use causing misshifts and blown trannies during racing conditions, IMO the MS stainless bushing doesn't really cause any noise or vibration. I have a used one if anyone is interested in it, removed it when I installed a used RP shifter purchased from another member.

 

I had the one with the Kevlar bushing it just blew apart, but he gave me a full refund, great business man.

 

I'm using the stock shifter. The aluminum bushing is the business now that it's breaking in. Much more positive shifts going from 1st to 2nd. Still get lockout occasionally going to 5th but the ratio is reversed now as I don't get the problem very often. However, coming out of reverse I have isssues getting into first with a lockout. Couple of clutch presses and we're good to go.

Oh and there really wasn't any perceivable increase in NVH.

 

I hate the 1st to 2nd shift. Most of the time it's fine but every now and then it's a pain in the ***.

 

I've just installed one of these and have the same problem, i'll get lockout randomly. I figured out what it is. The Bushing can float upwards on the shifter ball, and then it interferes with the transmission case where the shifter goes in. The Bushing only has to move vertically upwards maybe 3-4mm before it interferes.

Suggestions?

 

can anyone please explain me what is the use of shifter bushing? does it make the shifting more easier or what?

 

Update: Called Mazda Motorsports. They weren't familier with the interference issue of the the bushing having some room to move vertically up and contact the transmission case when trying to find a gear.

I did confirm my theory last night by dropping a 5mm plastic spacer into the shift bushing to take up the space between the bottom of the shifter ball and the bushing, and it shifts great....you just don't have reverse then...lol.

I guess tonight I'll measure how much I can remove off the top of the bushing before the ball isn't in the anymore.